Curbside service and cocktails: How a full-service restaurant is staying open during coronavirus

Southern California restaurant 101 North has turned to curbside pickup, delivery, cocktail kits and selling items from its kitchen to maintain revenue while its dining room is closed.

By Julie Littman • March 24, 2020

McDonald's to shutter all stores in UK, Ireland

The chain's 1,270 locations in this region will no longer offer drive-thru and delivery, and employees at corporate-owned restaurants will be paid for scheduled shifts through April 5.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 23, 2020

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Back-of-house Technology

From voice AI at the drive-thru to robot-powered makelines, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

Domino's, Papa John's ramp up hiring amid slew of industry layoffs

Domino's plans to hire 10,000 while Papa John's wants to hire 20,000 and Pizza Hut is looking to add 30,000 following increased demand for pizza delivery during the coronavirus outbreak. 

By Julie Littman • Updated March 23, 2020

McDonald's reportedly pushed against sick leave provision in coronavirus package

The chain is concerned the package — which requires companies with 50 to 500 employees to give workers two weeks paid sick leave — will hurt its franchisee profitability, according to Business Insider. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 19, 2020

Union Square Hospitality Group lays off 80% of staff over coronavirus closures

After shuttering all of its restaurants on March 13, the company laid off 2,000 employees, joining a handful of other fine-dining groups that have cut staff over the last week.

By Julie Littman • March 19, 2020

NRA predicts $225B loss for restaurants, urges federal economic aid

The association is pushing for a $145 billion restaurant and food service recovery fund to pay employees and help operations, as well as assistance that allows businesses to defer mortgage, lease and loan obligations.

By Lauren Manning • March 19, 2020

&pizza's coronavirus response plan: Pay workers more, not less

As restaurants across the country lay off workers in droves, the Washington, D.C.-based pizza chain has raised hourly pay $1 and is developing plans to keep staff fully employed even if its stores temporarily close. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 18, 2020

Millions of restaurant workers could lose their jobs due to dine-in closures

About 7.4 million leisure and hospitality workers may lose their jobs following restaurant and bar closures from 12 states and Washington, D.C. — numbers that will only grow. 

By Julie Littman • March 18, 2020

Chipotle tackles social distancing with virtual hangouts on Zoom

As the novel coronavirus keeps people apart, the burrito chain is hosting online events to bring them together, with guests like Colton Underwood from "The Bachelor."

By Robert Williams • March 17, 2020

McDonald's suspends dine-in operations at corporate stores

The fast food chain is encouraging franchisees to do the same and shift to drive-thru, takeout and delivery as COVID-19 continues to spread. 

By Julie Littman • March 17, 2020

States are mandating restaurant closures. Here's 3 ways brands can prepare.

Whether a restaurant is closing just its dining rooms or halting operations completely, lease agreements, perishable inventory and off-premise strategy will need to be assessed to weather COVID-19's impact. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 16, 2020

Starbucks, Chick-fil-A lead charge in shift to off-premise only operations nationwide

Sweetgreen also eliminated dine-in seating, while Taco Bell has closed dining rooms in its company-operated stores as chains rapidly shift operations in response to COVID-19.

By Julie Littman • Updated March 16, 2020

Inspire Brands acquires 22 Buffalo Wild Wings from franchisee

Along with ICV Partners' $130 million acquisition of Diversified Restaurant Holdings, the company sold 22 Buffalo Wild Wings units to the restaurant holding company. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 13, 2020

Hy-Vee to replace Market Grilles with Wahlburgers

The company's 21 full-service restaurants will transition to the popular burger brand by this summer.

By Krishna Thakker • March 13, 2020

Chipotle offers free delivery, tamper-proof packaging in response to COVID-19

Customers will also be able to leave special instructions for delivery to limit contact.  

By Julie Littman • March 13, 2020

Starbucks US could switch to pickup, delivery orders as COVID-19 spreads

Operations are continuing as normal, but CEO Kevin Johnson said stores in the U.S. and Canada could limit seating, enable mobile order-only scenarios for pickup or delivery or only keep drive-thrus open. 

By Julie Littman • March 12, 2020

Taco Bell fires latest shot in breakfast wars with new burrito menu

The QSR has rapidly launched several items this year, with these burritos becoming a permanent addition complementing LTOs like its Triplelupa and Nacho Fries. 

By Julie Littman • March 12, 2020

Mobile pickup is 2.4 times faster than other channels

But 33% of diners believe drive-thru is fastest during peak times and nearly half of diners surveyed in a Rakuten Ready study said drive-thru is their preferred ordering method.  

By Lauren Manning • March 11, 2020

McDonald's corporate stores offer quarantined workers 2 weeks paid leave

Labor advocacy group Fight for $15 wants the company to do more and issued a list of demands, including paid sick leave for all employees and better training on cleaning standards.

By Julie Littman • March 11, 2020

Olive Garden parent adds paid sick leave amid coronavirus concerns

Darden's permanent benefit grants 180,000 employees an hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, and new employees will be able to use accrued sick leave after 90 days on the job. 

By Julie Littman • March 10, 2020

2020 is the year of the breakfast wars

Chains like Wendy's, McDonald's, Dunkin', Starbucks and Panera have expanded menu offerings for breakfast to capture growing demand for the daypart.

By Julie Littman • March 9, 2020

Chipotle to expand paid parental leave, test unlimited PTO

The restaurant chain has been expanding its benefit offerings over the past year, but it has faced scrutiny at the state and local level.

By Aman Kidwai • March 6, 2020

Starbucks predicts coronavirus will gut Q2 comp store sales in China by 50%

Starbucks China's comparable stores sales fell 78% in February, a direct result of temporary store closures due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 6, 2020

Report: Subway to offer $5 value menu despite franchisee tension

Operators have previously voiced frustrations over the sandwich chain's discounts, one of many changes rolled out by new CEO John Chidsey in a bid to get the struggling company back on track. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 6, 2020

Taco Bell converting suburban stores to Cantinas in new test

The restaurant also said it plans to open a Cantina in Times Square and a gaming-themed Cantina in San Ramon, California this fall.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated March 6, 2020